What happened to the attractive flight attendants in pantyhose?
I was born in the early 80s and remembera time when there was always at least one attractive flight attendant per flight. All the flight attendants would wear skirts and pantyhose. They would change their shoes a couple times during the flights too (heels to flats to heels again). In short, at least one always seemed to put on quite a show for the male passengers. What happened to these glory days?
They wouldn’t parade around or anything. But they did change their shoes (I think when they served drinks) and then change them back. Anyway at least one stewardess would always be looking great in pantyhose.
Do stewardess unions not let airlines hire young women anymore?
In looking at some of the answers here, I have a comeback for sure!
I don’t think it’s about the girls looking like blonde bimbos or Hooter’s girls. All the question is asking is: why can’t flight attendents dress professionally like they used to? This could also apply to men as well.
The bottom line is, the US has become ‘lazy’ when it comes to fashion. It’s easier to dress ‘casual/sloppy’ than to take the time to look ‘professional’.
There is more emphasis on being relaxed and not caring as much about appearance than there is to look ‘sharp and professional’. In fact, looking sloppy and relaxed has now become accepted in the US as professional!
Bottom line is, styles/fashions have changed because of this.
Such a shame, because a woman looks much more professional in a job like a flight attendent (where you’re dealing directly with customers) wearing a skirt/slacks with pantyhose and heels…a man would look better in a tie and dress slacks. But, as you can see by some of the answers, it’s now become sexist for a man to want to see a woman dressed professionally rather than take the lazy approach.
Someday this will change I hope!
phguy34
19 May 10 at 7:27 pm
Get real………….. 1/2 of the flight attendants are now men.
Babe7622
19 May 10 at 7:27 pm
You know what’s funny—as a woman, I should object to this question because it’s obviously sexist, but here’s why I won’t: You probably didn’t realize it, but you were actually being polite. You said "flight attendant" rather than "stewardess." I’m sure you would have said "stewardess" if you’d thought about it for a second, but this goes to show that the Women’s Movement really has made an impact. So, although you asked a rude and asinine question, you actually managed to give me hope. Thank you.
Added after your "extra info":
It’s SO funny that now you call them "stewardesses." HA! Predictable…
neeniechick
19 May 10 at 7:27 pm
go to the international airlines, US carriers are losing it
master G
19 May 10 at 7:27 pm
Less SEXISM.
Bstrong
19 May 10 at 7:27 pm
I’ve been flying since I was a kid (mid 70′s) and I don’t recall anything like that. As for attractive flight attendants – I’ve yet to see one that isn’t. But that isn’t what matters. They are there for our safety. I don’t know that I want to fly on the plane you are talking about – I’d be worried they might not be paying attention to what is really important.
Michelle
19 May 10 at 7:27 pm
Think about it……..wearing hose and heels is not practical for your back, legs, feet, etc. It would be like a waitress wearing 2 inch heels in a 12 hour shift…..OUCH!
Plus, in an emergency, what is the flight attendant going to do in a dress with heals? Wearing the pants or Bermuda shorts and tennis shoes are way more practical and less sexist…….and Comfortable!
Also, now a lot of men are flight attendants as well so wearing the same type of dress is non discriminatory too.
I do agree that times have changed and the flight attendants I remember as a little kid were so beautiful and you had no doubt they were classy women. It is another era like moms wearing dresses with pearls while cooking dinner (June Cleaver).
I personally think the airlines did right though by eliminating the discriminatory dress codes. Now when I fly, I feel equal to the flight attendants and less intimidated.
belen2499
19 May 10 at 7:27 pm
I was born in the 60′s and worked for the airlines for 13 years. I always opted to wear a dress and I changed my shoes inflight. We also had the choice of a suit, either with pants or a skirt. I found the dress cooler and easier but that’s me. Other people thought differently. It was up to us and our uniforms were on a "points" system.
Before "my time", one of my airlines actually had all-male flights, can you believe it? Times have changed!
I think the public now realizes that it’s a profession, not just a job for cute girls for a few years. I think people think about emergency situations and don’t want to cute girls freaking out on them.
An Asian carrier a few years back who regularly hire teenages based on their looks, had an accident and it was poorly handled by the crew, who panicked. Some of the passengers were very resentful. Less likely with a more mature work force.
I think most people, when given the choice, prefer to trust their lives to well-trained professionals, and less so to eye candy.
Besides, there are still a lot of good-looking people in the airline industry, including some hunky guys! (both gay and straight, get over the stereotype!)
Eclipsepearl
19 May 10 at 7:27 pm
This can definitely be chalked up to less sexism. Flight attendants should have professional attire, but considering we spend such long hours on our feet, changing of shoes was probably due more to comfort’s sake than show. I think on average we are still attractive, but the emphasis should be more on great service than great looks.
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Sarah from how to become a flight attendant
17 Apr 11 at 10:45 pm